Influenced by the design of the modern skateboarding skatepark and snowboarding snowpark, a massive “wakepark” will be constructed at Tempe Town Lake to include a mix of hand and transfer rails, sliders, an elevated pool and a 16-foot high wall ride/quarterpipe. The result, a massive floating skatepark, which will allow professional riders to perform sets of tricks that were once impossible, raising the sport to new levels.

Parks Bonifay, X Games Gold medalist and five-time Pro Tour Champion, hand-selected 24 wakeboarders to compete in this innovative new sporting format. Twelve of the 24 riders, known as the “invitees,” who include Red Bull athletes J.D. Webb, Adam Errington and Bonifay himself, will automatically advance to the semifinals. The other 12 “qualifiers” will compete in two rounds of qualifying sessions with only the top eight advancing to the semifinals.

Four Arizona locals will also get a chance to compete with wakeboarding’s best at Red Bull Wake Lab as “wildcards.” The Lodge Urban Rail Jam on March 7 in Scottsdale will award the top four competing athletes with entry into the qualifying round of Red Bull Wake Lab. Arizona’s top wakeboarders, from the “Outlaw Riders” to the ASU WakeDevils, will throw down on a water course in the parking lot of The Lodge in Scottsdale. The four top locals will advance to compete as wildcards against the 12 “qualifiers” for one of the eight spots in the Red Bull Wake Lab semifinals.

A ticket for the 2009 Circle K Tempe Music Festival is required to attend Red Bull Wake Lab. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here.

February 26, 2009

Voting is officially open for the “ARE YOU ABOVE IT?” video contest! The video competition was created by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Arizona Affiliate as an opportunity for teens statewide to find a voice when it comes to tough issues. Participants created a short video that highlighted the skills and talents that help them stay above the influence of drugs and alcohol – whether it is playing sports, doing magic tricks or showing off the next great recipe.

We had a lot of great submissions from all over the state this year, but we had to narrow them down to three entries. The finalists are Andrew Madrid, a student from St. John’s High School in St. John’s; Michael Hamilton and Mairely Urias, students from Cottonwood Middle School; and the television production class of Mohave Accelerated Learning Center in Bullhead City.

The finalists’ videos can be viewed here after clicking on the “VOTE!” button. Voting is open to the public from February 25 – March 4 on the website. The winning entrant or team, which will be announced March 5, will be awarded $500, the runner-up will receive $300 and the third place entry will win $200.

For everyone who couldn’t make it this time around, the program focused on how the public relations/new media/marketing team for the Phoenix Suns works together to media train players and personnel, deal with crisis situations, give back to the community and to put together larger-scale events such as the NBA All-Star Game.

Oh…and they Suns had a few surprises up their sleeves for PRSA as well including a visit from Suns GM and NBA legend Steve Kerr, a behind-the-scenes chance to see the team get pumped up before the game and a tour of the credentialed media area!

PRSA looks forward to seeing you at next month’s luncheon, which will be back to lunch time at the University Club on March 25.

PRSA members will hear from Jamie Morris LeVine, Director of Public Relations; Cassidy Kersten, Director of Community Relations; Julie Fie, VP of Basketball Communications; and Niki Adams, Senior Director of Marketing before being escorted to the arena’s Verve Energy Lounge for pre-game festivities.

Then, all participating members will get the chance to watch the game together, which will see the first appearance of former Suns Raja Bell and Boris Diaw, who now play for the Bobcats.

February 23, 2009

I’ve been to an EO University and the learning opportunities are off the charts. Those attending will have the opportunity to interact with phenomenal keynote speakers like Jim Collins, Robert Kiyosaki and DeWitt Jones.

Our international guests will also have exclusive access to visit one of several off-site businesses, such as PING and the Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving.

And it wouldn’t be an EO function if there weren’t various social activities, as well. These will include a private party at the Wrigley Mansion overlooking Phoenix, thrilling off-site activities, such as soaring, extreme Hummer tours and, of course, VIP after-hours in downtown Scottsdale’s hottest nightspots.

For those who attend, this will offer a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the culture of America’s Wild West.

February 20, 2009

The letter pointed out some things that were going on back then, including: the end of the Persian Gulf War, the end of the Soviet Union and the end of apartheid. It also noted that the nation watched as a woman testified about alleged harassment by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas and welcomed a new family named “The Simpsons” into primetime. The Exxon Valdez leaked 11 million gallons of crude oil into Price William Sound and Ted Turner launched Turner Network Television.

It will be most interesting to see what’s written about in my next letter.

Along with today’s celebration for the tenants of the building, there will be an open house tomorrow (Friday) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The DEC is located at 5025 E. Washington Street in Phoenix.

We’ve watched its development from groundbreaking to this momentous grand opening, so we are very excited! This resource will go a long way in better serving persons with disabilities and their families and friends.

February 18, 2009

“I guess we better call the media.”

That’s the New York Yankees’ battle cry every year about the time pitchers and catchers report for spring training. Worse – it’s the same reason year after year: we’ve got a player who has cheated using performance-enhancing drugs.

Jason Giambi gave an ambiguous confession at Yankee Stadium on the eve of spring training in 2005.

Andy Pettitte gave an emotional and lengthy confession when he arrived at spring training last year.

This year it was Alex Rodriguez, who admitted to using steroids over a three-year period.

A-Rod had the mic for about 32 minutes before the monologue ended. No follow-up questions were permitted. Last year’s “I did it and I’m sorry” speech from Pettitte was about an hour long.

It’s too bad that some things have become routine for the media relations staffs at professional sports teams.

February 13, 2009

Our client, Subway Restaurants of Arizona, took advantage of this weekend’s NBA All-Star Game and the buzz surrounding downtown Phoenix to launch a new basketball-themed promotion called the “3-Point Play” in a creative way.

Subway partner, NBA All-Star and San Antonio Spur Tony Parker visited the Subway Restaurant located at the Arizona Center this morning, which transformed itself into a partial basketball court for the occasion, to shoot hoops with local residents and to talk about the new promotion.

Subway Restaurants of Arizona is the “Official Sub of the Phoenix Suns” and a proud supporter of professional and children’s athletic programs statewide.